I Recommendations to Vessels in Fishing Zones
Clasification Society 2024 - Version 9.40
Statutory Documents - IMO Publications and Documents - Circulars - Maritime Safety Committee - MSC.1/Circular.1332 – Piracy and Armed Robbery Against Ships in Water off the Coast of Somalia – (16 June 2009) - Annex 2 - Additional Guidance for Vessels Engaged in Fishing, Supplementary to the Best Management Practices to Deter Piracy in the Gulf of Aden and off the Coast of Somalia - I Recommendations to Vessels in Fishing Zones

I Recommendations to Vessels in Fishing Zones

  1. Non-Somali fishing vessels should avoid operating or transiting within 200 nm of the coast of Somalia, irrespective of whether or not they had been issued with licences to do so.

  2. Do not start fishing operations when the radar indicates the presence of unidentified boats.

  3. If polyester skiffs of a type typically used by pirates are sighted, move away from them full speed, sailing into wind and sea to make their navigation more difficult.

  4. Avoid stopping at night, be alert and maintain bridge, deck and engine-room watch.

  5. During fishing operations, when the vessel is more vulnerable, be alert and maintain radar watch in order to give maximum notice to the Authorities if an attack is in course.

  6. While navigating at night, use only the mandatory navigation and safety lights so as to prevent the glow of lighting attracting pirates who sometimes are in boats without radars and are just lurking around.

  7. While the vessel is drifting while fishing at night, keep guard at the bridge on deck and in the engine-room. Use only mandatory navigation and safety lights. The engine must be ready for an immediate start up.

  8. Keep away from unidentified ships.

  9. Use VHF as little as possible to avoid being heard by pirates and make location more difficult.

  10. Activate AIS when maritime patrol aircraft are operating in the area to facilitate identification and tracking.


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